Police Activity Newsletter - Issue 63

POLICE, CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UPDATE 9 – 22 NOVEMBER 2022 CRIME STATS Over the last two weeks, recorded crimes have totalled 277.

as we head into the busy Christmas period.

Theft (93) has dropped from 112 over the last two weeks, with violence against the person and vehicle crime decreasing also. Despite this, the police would still like everyone to remain vigilant and report anything that does not look right,

As mentioned later in this Police Activity Newsletter, the police will be running their annual ‘Cop Shop’ stall in Cabot this year, if you would like to raise a query in person.

THE RETURN OF CHRISTMAS COP SHOP As Christmas approaches, the police are launching their annual ‘Cop Shop.’ Every Saturday between 10am-4pm there will be at least two members of the local neighbourhood team present, ready to talk and provide advice; whether you need some help or just fancy a chat about your Christmas shopping.

The Cop Shop provides a great opportunity to engage with the public in the lead up to the holidays, with the main aim being to provide crime prevention and home security advice, which is particularly important at this time of year.

It also aims to create a visible presence within the centre to deter potential criminals and opportunists.

This year, this will be set up on George White Street in Cabot Circus, so do come and have a chat. The police Ho! Ho! Ho! -pe to see you there soon.

OPERATION SCEPTRE Operation Sceptre is a national Police campaign that Avon and Somerset Constabulary take part in twice a year, to tackle knife crime in our communities.

There are knife amnesty bins, complete knife sweeps in public areas, and carried out test purchases in retail outlets to reduce the number of blades and knives on our streets whilst also incorporating education as part of this operation.

The night time economy has a vital role in supporting this work and the police have the following expectations with lock knives and kitchen style fixed blades. Venues to continue having strict and consistent search policies in place

with the appropriate training available for their staff and SIA badge holders. Every lock knife or kitchen type seen or seized should be reported to the police on a 999 call. The customer should be detained where practicable so the police can attend as a crime in progress and take the appropriate action against the offender.

Folding penknives with a blade less than 3 inches (7.62cm) can be an exemption from the bladed law article but can also be called into the police as a 999 call if the person found with it has used it in a threatening manner, as it would still class as an offensive weapon.

OPERATION SCORPION Last weekend saw the third Operation Scorpion being deployed across the force.

This time it was to focus on the sale of drugs within the night-time economy by working with internal and external partners (including the BID) allowing the central team to create plans of action for both Friday and Saturday night.

The activity that was identified was targeted to drug dealing locations and persons with a focus on the sale of NOS, weekend drug supply engagement with the community and licensing checks.

As a result, on Friday the police arrested, charged, and remanded a male for the sale of NOS in the Kings Street area, and on Saturday two further arrests for supply offences, whilst disrupting drug dealing at a location provided by the community.

ACTION COUNTERS TERRORISM (ACT) THIS WINTER As we head into winter, the police are asking that organisations, businesses, and event organisers support Counter Terrorism Policing’s campaign to remind people to look out for each other, stay alert and trust their instincts.

The Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) winter vigilance campaign is in its second year, and aims to encourage businesses, members of staff and the public to report suspicious activity - anything that doesn’t feel right.

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Research shows that one of the most effective things you can do to deter hostile activity is to demonstrate that your staff, customers, and visitors are encouraged to be, and are, vigilant; and that they know how to report suspicious activity.

We also know that one in three people want to know more about what is being done to keep them safe by organisations and event organisers.

PCSO NAT NAYLOR PCSO Nat works with BID levy-paying businesses to reach improved outcomes in all aspects of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Since joining in 2021, Nat has made over 700 separate engagements with 85 different businesses in response to police reports and direct requests.

If you need to contact Nat, please email 9486@avonandsomerset.police.uk or in case of an emergency, dial 999.

A toolkit for businesses, event organisers and event security are available on the new Protect UK platform. There are easy steps businesses and individuals can take to ensure everyone’s playing their part to keep each other safe.

The toolkit includes static and moving images as well as messages to use on internal and external channels to help share the message of staying vigilant.

This will continue to be added to the toolkit as the campaign progresses until 6 January 2023.

Assets can be requested in different sizes, or tailored to reflect certain environments or an event, organisations or individuals can contact nctphq.comms@met.police.uk with the information.

CITY CENTRE RIOT UPDATE Three more people have been sentenced for their role in the riot in Bristol city centre in March 2021.

The defendants appeared at a hearing held in Bristol Crown Court on Friday 11 November. Christopher Hind (pictured right), 38, of Eastville, Bristol admitted a charge of violent disorder. The court heard how during the riot, over a period of two hours, he was caught on footage displaying aggressive behaviour, as well as pushing and kicking out at officers.

Tyler Overall (pictured centre), 28, of Filton, South Gloucestershire also admitted a charge of violent disorder. He was seen to goad and attack officers, grabbing at police shields using force, as well as kicking out at officers. Both Hind and Overall were sentenced to 21 months in prison each.

Fleur Moody (pictured left), 26, of Montpelier, Bristol admitted a charge of affray, for her actions, which included urinating next to officers, as well as kicking out at officers. She was

sentenced to an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, as well as a rehabilitation order and 80 hours of unpaid community service.

To date, 23 people have been jailed for offences committed during last year’s riot. The Bridewell Police station and several police vehicles were damaged, and several police officers were assaulted and injured during this harrowing disorder.

The station’s frontage, entrance and front office have since been upgraded and undergone building works in the interests of security and general improvements in recent months.

Together, those convicted have been imprisoned for a combined total of 81 years and three months. Avon and Somerset Police still need the public’s help to identify a further 22 people in connection with our investigation into the riot.